Frank H. Conlon/For The Star-LedgerNewly appointed county manager Alfred J. Faella, shown in this August file photo, was arrested last week for drunk driving while traveling in a work-issued vehicle, authorities said.

Alfred J. Faella, who became Union County manager in August, was pulled over around midnight after he swerved from his lane on Route 22, said Mountainside Police Capt. Richard Osieja, the department spokesman. Faella turned his blue Ford Escape, registered to the county, onto Central Avenue before he was stopped, Oseija said. The 56-year-old, who lives several blocks away, was issued a summons to appear in local court on Dec. 14.

Faella’s attorney, Edward Kologi, issued a statement through the county spokesman. Kologi said he was reviewing the charges and needed more information from police before making detailed comments.

"Faella, however, expressed his deep regret about the matter and assured the board of chosen freeholders and the public that it has in no way affected his ability to perform his duties as county manager," Kologi said.

In a separate statement, Freeholder Chairwoman Deborah Scanlon called the manager "a fine man and public official who, it appears, exercised poor judgment."

"Our first concern is for Al’s personal health, and we will support him in his efforts to seek any counseling," she said. "This incident will be fully reviewed by the county."

Faella earns about $120,000 per year for his work as manager, an appointed job that involves oversight of a workforce of nearly 3,000 people. Raised in a gritty neighborhood in Elizabeth, Faella worked his way up the rungs of local, county and state government over the years. He was promoted over the summer following the retirement of George Devanney.

There’s no indication Faella will not remain on the job while the drunk driving charge is pending. It’s unclear if we will be stripped of his take-home vehicle, an action that would likely require action by the freeholder board.